Abstract

Motivation: Parahydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP) is a potential alternative to d-DNP for the polarization of [1-13C]pyruvate, but has so far been limited to low polarizations, low concentrations, and high impurities. Goal(s): We present, for the first time at a conference, recent advances in the polarization of [1-13C]pyruvate using PHIP via Side-Arm-Hydrogenation. Approach: Demonstration of an automated production of hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate using PHIP-SAH. The PHIP system was benchmarked against a d-DNP system and hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate from both systems was injected in animals for comparative in vivo metabolic MRI. Results: PHIP and d-DNP based hyperpolarization achieve comparable results, but PHIP is much faster. Impact: PHIP is demonstrated as a fast, effective, and cost-efficient polarization method for [1-13C]pyruvate. With very short dose production times, researchers are enabled to administer multiple (4) injections into the same animal within reasonable anesthesia time (<1h), allowing averaging of metabolism.